's debate. president obama is in nevada for two days of practice sessions with david axelrod and david plouff. mitt romney is counting on his secret weapon, ann, out on the trail. >> this country is ready for a turnaround. this country is ready -- this country is ready for mitt romney. >> joining me now, a man who knows quite a lot about mitt romney's debate preparation, his senior advisor, former senator jim tallent. welcome to you. >> good to be with you, piers. >> how is he getting on, the candidate? because this is potentially a make or break debate for mitt romney. >> yeah, it certainly is a big debate and a big debate for the country. well, he's worked hard. the president is a good debater and he's been in this -- on this spotlight before, so you know, governor romney is probably a little bit the underdog but i think he's going to be ready. he's going to be ready on the issues which is really what this election's about. >> there's a massive game at the moment of both sides downplaying expectation. so far, even if mitt romney just makes the stage, you guys could declare a triumph